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Cleanup cash drying up. A look at the economic impact of environmental cleanup in Montana

The decline of mining, refining and railroading in the second half of the 20th Century left Montana wanting for good jobs — and facing the dirty remains of those former industries.

High-paying mining and smelting jobs aren’t likely to return, at least not in any large numbers. In their wake, however, are new jobs for the folks cleaning up the tainted waters, soils and communities.

But even as environmental cleanups pump money into Montana’s economy and create thousands of jobs, the federal money that seeds some of those projects is threatened.

Two federal funding sources in particular are dwindling.

The program that funds the cleanup of abandoned mines expires next year. And the trust fund that paid for federal Superfund cleanups is depleted, with taxpayers now picking up the reclamation tab.

By SONJA LEE
Tribune Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051227/NEWS01/512270301

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